Causes of blocked nose varies from individuals; a blocked nose brings more discomfort than it always seems, it sounds so simple but it's not in the least simple, you discover it hard to breathe or maybe lie comfortably when your nose is blocked and this issue comes up during the day also as in the dark, why it's more noticeable in the dark is because by then your activities are reduced.

You are only to sleep and enjoy your night rest, but suddenly you discovered that your nose is blocked and you fight tooth and nail to clear it up, this is often to no avail.

A blocked nose is also known as nasal congestion, stuffy nose, it is merely an obstruction of airflow flow in and out of the nose, this happens when your nasal passage is swollen with excess fluid and mucus, this condition could also be caused or maybe triggered by smoke, perfume, tobacco or an infection.

Nasal congestion which is usually mentioned as stuffy nose, and locally called blocked nose isn't a symbol of any lethal medical condition, and it can easily be taken care of by home remedies, medication, and even food substances.

Below are major causes of blocked nose:

1. Virus/Germs

The viruses that cause the cold or flu often enter the body directly through your nose. Once there, they start to multiply inside the liner of your nasal passages. The body’s response to the infection results in inflammation that brings nasal congestion.

2. Allergies

If you experience certain allergies, you'll find that your nose is usually stuffy. Certain triggers, like dust, pollen, and pet dander, can cause an allergic response, which causes swelling of your nasal tissues and results in nasal congestion.
Other causes of blocked nose include:

• Swollen/inflamed vessel inside the nasal passage.
• Excess mucus blocking the nasal passageway.
• Environmental irritants.
• Chemical Expose.
• Sinus infection.

One may ask why stuffy nose gets worse in the dark and there are different reasons for this, during the day we are mostly distracted from noticing many issues thanks to the intensity of our activities and the way busy we are, but in the dark we are calm, rested and more aware of the items happening in our body, this is often why we sometimes feel body pains in the dark, they need been there for long but we just haven't noticed because we've been busy.

Two major reasons why you feel blocked nose more at night are as follows:

1. Change of position

At bed time, your position is changed from standing and sitting where mucus drains naturally thanks to gravity to a lying position, this lying position including an equivalent force of gravity allows the mucus to return copy rather than drain thereby causing a stuffy nose that's harder to ignore at that time.

2. Blood flow changes as a results of our lying position

When lying down, there is an increased blood flow to the upper part of your body (head and nasal passageways); the increased old flow can inflame vessels in your nasal passageway which may make nasal congestion worse.

The causes of stuffy nose are mostly basic and that I want to remind you that a stuffy nose isn't a symbol of any adverse medical condition, it can happen to anyone and to urge obviate it you'll eat your answer of it, some foods are known to be both hunger-satisfying and medicinal, a number of them are listed as foods that help clear up nasal congestion.

Below are foods you should eat to clear your blocked nose:

1. Eat Onion

Onions are naturally loaded with antioxidants, these Antioxidants are compounds that inhibit oxidation, a process that leads to cellular damage and contributes to diseases like cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Onions are an excellent source of antioxidants. In fact, they contain over 25 different varieties of falconoid antioxidants.

Red onions, in particular, contain anthocyanins — special plant pigments in the falconoid family that give red onions their deep color. Multiple population studies have found that people who consume more foods rich in anthocyanins have a reduced risk of heart disease.

For example, a study in 43,880 men showed that habitual intakes as high as 613 mg per day of anthocyanins were correlated to a 14% lower risk of nonfatal heart attacks.

Similarly, a study in 93,600 women observed that those with the highest intake of anthocyanin-rich foods were 32% less likely to experience a heart attack than women with the lowest intake.

2. Eat Spicy foods.

Spicy foods have the function of clearing up sinuses also as other functions, the previous is thanks to the presence of capsaicin in them for instance , pepper. Capsaicin has the function of irritating mucus membrane leading to a running nose and softening of nasal obstruction.

3. Eat Garlic.

Garlic may be a spice that's known for its multipurpose abilities therefore it's well-known within the aspect of healthy foods, it's potent because it concerns reducing inflammation within the sinus passage, garlic are often eaten raw or easily added to your diet for consumption.

4. Drink much water.

Keep yourself hydrated by taking in many water during the day and in the dark to assist with stuffy nose, the liquid will help make the mucus thin and pushes it out of your nose, this helps reduce the pressure in your sinuses, with less pressure comes less irritation and inflammation.

5. Antioxidants-rich foods.

Foods like citrus, kiwi, spinach, and other vegetables function to guard membranes from radical damage. These foods will therefore help with nasal congestion when eaten adequately.

6. Eat Pineapple.

Pineapple is an all-round sweet fruit, it's juicy and it's healthiness benefits, most of the advantages come as a results of the brome lain contained within the fruit, this enzyme is a lively decongestant that helps break down the junk that builds up within the sinuses and this successively helps reduce inflammation and swelling.

SOURCE: https://kenotips.com.ng/causes-of-blocked-nose-at-night-and-how-to-clear-it/